Brooks Addiction 14 Review
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By Tara Summerville Editor’s Conclusion
Gather round, overpronator friends, I want to tell you about the Brooks Addiction 14. Overall, Brooks has a great reputation for crafting excellent stability shoes, but the Addiction 14 dials up their stability to an 11. I found that this trainer is a great option for moderate to severe overpronators thanks to the highly cushioned midsole and roll bar that helps to guide the foot to a nice and even gait.
Unlike other cushy trainers in the Brooks lineup, the Addiction 14 is slightly stiffer, which makes it easier to pick up speed as needed. The heightened responsiveness also helps the overall durability and shock absorption of this shoe. If you overpronate (like me!) and need something to help even out your gait to help ease knee and lower back pain, the Brooks Addiction is worth every penny.
Below, I wanted to get into some of the details of this really impressive stability trainer.
Unlike other cushy trainers in the Brooks lineup, the Addiction 14 is slightly stiffer, which makes it easier to pick up speed as needed. The heightened responsiveness also helps the overall durability and shock absorption of this shoe. If you overpronate (like me!) and need something to help even out your gait to help ease knee and lower back pain, the Brooks Addiction is worth every penny.
Below, I wanted to get into some of the details of this really impressive stability trainer.
Brooks Addiction 14 Review Review Facts
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
Midfoot roll bar
Ideal for severe overpronators
Excellent lockdown
Perfect for long distances as well as speed
Insanely durable
Cons
Not very breathable
Slightly expensive
Very heavy
Key Features
Key Features
UPPER
Stability shoes often have a reputation of having hot and stiff uppers, and the Addiction 14 is no different. I felt that this trainer runs a little hot thanks to the stiff synthetic overlays. These overlays help to lock your feet down so that they don’t shift around while you train, but they also create quite a few hot spots that are really noticeable as you put miles behind you. It does have thinner mesh materials along the top of the toe box that helps hot air escape to some degree. While your feet may get a little too hot, they won’t be wet and soupy thanks to the strategically placed venting system.
I also love that this design has a lower profile when compared to other designs in the Brooks lineup. The collar runs pretty low on your ankle and boasts a soft foam cushioning that helps to limit the overall break-in period that is ripe for blisters. The lower profile of this shoe also helps flexibility, making it not only ideal for long-distance running but HIIT and CrossFit that demand quick turns and snappy movements.
MIDSOLE
The midsole is where the Addiction 14 really shines. It is composed of Brooks’ proprietary BioMoGo DNA foam cushioning. By simply slipping your feet inside of this shoe, you can feel the initial squish just by stepping down onto the foam. What I love most about this foam cushioning is that it conforms to the shape of your foot giving you the exact right amount of support where you need it most. If you feel like there is no such thing as a shoe that is too soft, this is a really great choice for your daily training sessions.
The Addiction 14 is touted for its “motion control”, which means that your feet won’t get lost in the squishy midsole. Many trainers in the Brooks lineup use a dual layer of foam cushioning which may be a little too soft for runners that like to pick up the pace a bit. This midsole is squishy, but it offers just a little bit of extra firmness for quick movements.
OUTSOLE
What I love most about this trainer is that the outsole is incredibly versatile as well as durable. The rubber outsole of this design boasts modest lugs that help you really make contact with the ground. It’s designed for road running or treadmills, but I have found that it performs quite nicely on modest trails that aren’t too uneven or jagged. It’s not built for trails, but I found that it holds up quite well. Plus, the thicker material on the upper prevents water and morning dew from seeping into your running socks!
The durability of this outsole is quite impressive. Even after 100 miles, it shows little signs of general wear and tear. This outsole is built pretty tough, and it is able to hold up to a few hundred miles before you notice any real signs of durability loss. Overall, it’s a great shoe for everyday training as well as races thanks to the heightened durability and versatile rubber outsole.
ROLL BAR
One of the most important features of the Brooks Addiction 14 is the inclusion of the roll bar. If you overpronate, it means that you put more weight on the inside of your foot. Basically, your gait cycle is a little uneven, which can lead to chronic pain in your feet, knees, and lower back. This trainer includes an Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar that provides your arches the right amount of support and naturally guides your foot to a nice and even gait.
Many stability trainers pop on a stiff upper and a supportive midsole and call it a day. This shoe goes above and beyond with the addition of the roll bar system. Not only is this shoe ideal for those that need extra cushioning and support, but it is also perfect for those that severely overpronate without the need to buy expensive orthotics.
WEIGHT
Despite its advanced stability features, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows when it comes to this shoe. One of the biggest disadvantages of Addiction 14 is the overall weight. This is one heavy shoe. Weighing in at just over 12 ounces, this is one of the heavier stability trainers out there on the market. While the stiffer midsole is designed for speed, you may have a bit of a struggle picking up the pace due to the overall weight and bulk of this trainer.
PERFORMANCE
One of the things that runners love most about this design is that it is incredibly versatile. While it is designed to be an excellent daily trainer, it also works well on race day. Improvements to the overall design of this shoe give it a lower profile, which is ideal for quick and nimble movements. It’s a perfect trainer for long distances but also works well at the gym for HIIT and CrossFit, as well as weight training. Many users also wear this design as a walking shoe, or if you have to stand on your feet all day for work.
While they are designed for road running, they perform surprisingly well on the trails. The rubber outsole boasts modest lugs that are built for running through grass or dirt trails. If you plan on taking them on some pretty jagged trail heads, you will lose a bit of stability. Plus, the structured upper works to wick away water and moisture to keep your feet and sock dry in rainy weather.
STYLE
You won’t be entering any fashion shows while wearing the Addiction 14. Throughout the evolution of this shoe, the style hasn’t changed all that much. It looks much like your average running shoe without a lot of brave design choices or even a lot of color options. Overall, the styling of Brooks running shoes favors function over style. If various shades of black and gray are your jam, you are sure to love these shoes! If you love bright and fun colors, these may fall a little flat.
PRICE
As far as price is concerned, it’s a little more expensive than your average daily trainer. However, when shopping for great stability shoes, it’s unlikely that you will find anything that is priced under the 100 dollar range. While it’s a little more expensive than most, it’s by no means the most expensive stability trainer out there on the market. In fact, when you take into consideration the overall durability of this shoe, I feel that it is an excellent value.
Stability shoes often have a reputation of having hot and stiff uppers, and the Addiction 14 is no different. I felt that this trainer runs a little hot thanks to the stiff synthetic overlays. These overlays help to lock your feet down so that they don’t shift around while you train, but they also create quite a few hot spots that are really noticeable as you put miles behind you. It does have thinner mesh materials along the top of the toe box that helps hot air escape to some degree. While your feet may get a little too hot, they won’t be wet and soupy thanks to the strategically placed venting system.
I also love that this design has a lower profile when compared to other designs in the Brooks lineup. The collar runs pretty low on your ankle and boasts a soft foam cushioning that helps to limit the overall break-in period that is ripe for blisters. The lower profile of this shoe also helps flexibility, making it not only ideal for long-distance running but HIIT and CrossFit that demand quick turns and snappy movements.
MIDSOLE
The midsole is where the Addiction 14 really shines. It is composed of Brooks’ proprietary BioMoGo DNA foam cushioning. By simply slipping your feet inside of this shoe, you can feel the initial squish just by stepping down onto the foam. What I love most about this foam cushioning is that it conforms to the shape of your foot giving you the exact right amount of support where you need it most. If you feel like there is no such thing as a shoe that is too soft, this is a really great choice for your daily training sessions.
The Addiction 14 is touted for its “motion control”, which means that your feet won’t get lost in the squishy midsole. Many trainers in the Brooks lineup use a dual layer of foam cushioning which may be a little too soft for runners that like to pick up the pace a bit. This midsole is squishy, but it offers just a little bit of extra firmness for quick movements.
OUTSOLE
What I love most about this trainer is that the outsole is incredibly versatile as well as durable. The rubber outsole of this design boasts modest lugs that help you really make contact with the ground. It’s designed for road running or treadmills, but I have found that it performs quite nicely on modest trails that aren’t too uneven or jagged. It’s not built for trails, but I found that it holds up quite well. Plus, the thicker material on the upper prevents water and morning dew from seeping into your running socks!
The durability of this outsole is quite impressive. Even after 100 miles, it shows little signs of general wear and tear. This outsole is built pretty tough, and it is able to hold up to a few hundred miles before you notice any real signs of durability loss. Overall, it’s a great shoe for everyday training as well as races thanks to the heightened durability and versatile rubber outsole.
ROLL BAR
One of the most important features of the Brooks Addiction 14 is the inclusion of the roll bar. If you overpronate, it means that you put more weight on the inside of your foot. Basically, your gait cycle is a little uneven, which can lead to chronic pain in your feet, knees, and lower back. This trainer includes an Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar that provides your arches the right amount of support and naturally guides your foot to a nice and even gait.
Many stability trainers pop on a stiff upper and a supportive midsole and call it a day. This shoe goes above and beyond with the addition of the roll bar system. Not only is this shoe ideal for those that need extra cushioning and support, but it is also perfect for those that severely overpronate without the need to buy expensive orthotics.
WEIGHT
Despite its advanced stability features, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows when it comes to this shoe. One of the biggest disadvantages of Addiction 14 is the overall weight. This is one heavy shoe. Weighing in at just over 12 ounces, this is one of the heavier stability trainers out there on the market. While the stiffer midsole is designed for speed, you may have a bit of a struggle picking up the pace due to the overall weight and bulk of this trainer.
PERFORMANCE
One of the things that runners love most about this design is that it is incredibly versatile. While it is designed to be an excellent daily trainer, it also works well on race day. Improvements to the overall design of this shoe give it a lower profile, which is ideal for quick and nimble movements. It’s a perfect trainer for long distances but also works well at the gym for HIIT and CrossFit, as well as weight training. Many users also wear this design as a walking shoe, or if you have to stand on your feet all day for work.
While they are designed for road running, they perform surprisingly well on the trails. The rubber outsole boasts modest lugs that are built for running through grass or dirt trails. If you plan on taking them on some pretty jagged trail heads, you will lose a bit of stability. Plus, the structured upper works to wick away water and moisture to keep your feet and sock dry in rainy weather.
STYLE
You won’t be entering any fashion shows while wearing the Addiction 14. Throughout the evolution of this shoe, the style hasn’t changed all that much. It looks much like your average running shoe without a lot of brave design choices or even a lot of color options. Overall, the styling of Brooks running shoes favors function over style. If various shades of black and gray are your jam, you are sure to love these shoes! If you love bright and fun colors, these may fall a little flat.
PRICE
As far as price is concerned, it’s a little more expensive than your average daily trainer. However, when shopping for great stability shoes, it’s unlikely that you will find anything that is priced under the 100 dollar range. While it’s a little more expensive than most, it’s by no means the most expensive stability trainer out there on the market. In fact, when you take into consideration the overall durability of this shoe, I feel that it is an excellent value.
Comparison to Previous Versions
Comparison to Previous Versions
There are very few changes made between the jump from Brooks Addiction 13 to version 14. Bother iterations of shoes boast a rollbar to help with overpronation, and boasts a BioMoGo DNA midsole that adapts to your movements. Even the styling between both shoes is generally the same.
Another great Polar product we reviewed is the Brooks Addiction GTS 15, so make sure to check it out as well.
However, there is one big change between the 13 and 14. Believe it or not, Addiction 13 is actually heavier than the 14. If you thought the 14 was pretty heavy (weighing in at 11 ounces), the Addiction 13 weighs in at a whopping 13.8 ounces. Even for stability trainers, that is just a little too heavy.
Another great Polar product we reviewed is the Brooks Addiction GTS 15, so make sure to check it out as well.
However, there is one big change between the 13 and 14. Believe it or not, Addiction 13 is actually heavier than the 14. If you thought the 14 was pretty heavy (weighing in at 11 ounces), the Addiction 13 weighs in at a whopping 13.8 ounces. Even for stability trainers, that is just a little too heavy.
Verdict
Verdict
If you are a heavier runner or you severely overpronate, the Brooks Addiction 14 is one of the best stability trainers out there on the market. It boasts a super-cushioned ride that provides ample shock absorption when running on hard surfaces and a rollbar that helps to even out your gait. It's designed to be your go-to daily trainer when running long distances on hard and unforgiving sidewalks, but it is also built for modest trails as well.
While the price tag may seem pretty steep, it’s actually quite reasonable when compared to other high-end stability trainers that help correct overpronation without the help of orthotics. It is slightly heavier than most, which can be a deal-breaker for some, but I feel that the extra weight is well worth the supportive ride!
While the price tag may seem pretty steep, it’s actually quite reasonable when compared to other high-end stability trainers that help correct overpronation without the help of orthotics. It is slightly heavier than most, which can be a deal-breaker for some, but I feel that the extra weight is well worth the supportive ride!
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